Compact foldable meter

Abstract

A foldable instrument ( 10 ) adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample using a test sensor is disclosed. The instrument comprises a first portion ( 12 ) including a display ( 22 ) and a second portion ( 14 ) pivotally coupled to the first portion by a pivot mechanism ( 23 ). The second portion includes a user-interface mechanism ( 16 a - c ). One of the first portion ( 12 ) and second portion ( 14 ) includes at least one opening ( 18 ) formed therein. The opening is adapted to receive a test sensor. The instrument is adapted to be folded into a closed position and unfolded into an open position by rotating one of the first portion and second portion about the pivot mechanism ( 23 ).

1. A foldable instrument adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample using a test sensor, the instrument comprising:
 a first portion including a display and a first internally-facing surface; and 
 a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion by a pivot mechanism, the second portion including a user-interface mechanism and a second internally-facing surface, 
 wherein one of the first portion and second portion includes at least one opening formed therein, the opening being adapted to receive a test sensor, 
 wherein the instrument is adapted to be folded into a closed position and unfolded into an open position by rotating one of the first portion and second portion about the pivot mechanism in a direction generally parallel to the entire first and second internally-facing surfaces. 
 
     
     
       2. The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument has a generally circular cross section. 
     
     
       3. The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion have substantially the same shape. 
     
     
       4. The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the user-interface mechanism includes at least one button. 
     
     
       5. The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the display and the user-interface are positioned on the first and second internally-facing surfaces of the respective first and second portions. 
     
     
       6. The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the display is positioned on the first internally-facing surface of the first portion, and wherein the user-interface mechanism is positioned on an externally-facing surface of the second portion. 
     
     
       7. The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the display is positioned on an externally-facing surface of the first portion, and wherein the user-interface mechanism is positioned on the second internally-facing surface of the second portion. 
     
     
       8. The instrument of  claim 7 , further comprising a removable cover adapted to cover the display. 
     
     
       9. The instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one compartment coupled to one of the first portion and the second portion, the at least one compartment being adapted to store at least one analyte-testing instrument. 
     
     
       10. The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument has a footprint of less than 5 in 2 . 
     
     
       11. The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the display has an area of at least 1 in 2 . 
     
     
       12. The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are adapted to releasably lock therewith. 
     
     
       13. The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are electrically connected by a flexible circuit cable. 
     
     
       14. A foldable instrument adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample using a test sensor, the instrument comprising:
 a main housing including a first portion and a generally parallel second portion, the second portion being coupled to the first portion by a wall portion; 
 a middle portion positioned between the first portion and the second portion, the middle portion including at least one opening formed therein, the opening being adapted to receive a test sensor, the middle portion being pivotally coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion by a pivot mechanism; 
 a display positioned on one of the first portion and the middle portion; and 
 a user-interface mechanism positioned on one of the first portion and the middle portion not including the display, 
 wherein the instrument is adapted to be folded into a closed position and unfolded into an open position by rotating at least one of the main housing and the middle portion about the pivot mechanism along a plane generally parallel to both the main housing and the middle portion. 
 
     
     
       15. The instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the instrument has a generally circular cross section. 
     
     
       16. The instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the middle portion have substantially the same shape. 
     
     
       17. The instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion includes the display and wherein the middle portion includes the user-interface mechanism. 
     
     
       18. The instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion includes the user-interface mechanism and wherein the middle portion includes the display. 
     
     
       19. The instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the test-sensor opening is adjacent to the wall portion when the instrument is in the closed position. 
     
     
       20. The instrument of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one compartment coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the at least one compartment being adapted to store analyte-testing instruments. 
     
     
       21. The instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion includes a first internally-facing surface and the second portion includes a second internally-facing surface, the at least one of the main housing and the middle portion being rotated in a direction generally parallel to the first and second internally-facing surfaces. 
     
     
       22. A foldable instrument adapted to determine an analyte concentration of a fluid sample using a test sensor, the instrument comprising:
 a main housing including a first portion and a generally parallel second portion, the second portion being coupled to the first portion by a wall portion, the main housing having a first internally facing surface; 
 a middle portion positioned between the first portion and the second portion, the middle portion including at least one opening formed therein, the opening being adapted to receive a test sensor, the middle portion being pivotally coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion by a pivot mechanism, the middle portion having a second internally facing surface; 
 a display positioned on one of the first portion and the middle portion; and 
 a user-interface mechanism positioned on one of the first portion and the middle portion not including the display, 
 wherein the instrument is adapted to be folded into a closed position and unfolded into an open position by rotating at least one of the main housing and the middle portion about the pivot mechanism in a direction generally parallel to the entire first and second internally-facing surfaces.